Boston’s dining scene is evolving rapidly. According to The Boston Globe, international restaurateurs are increasingly considering Boston over Manhattan for their United States debut.  

Following a wave of post-pandemic hospitality investment, the city has welcomed dozens of spectacular new openings — many of which are so creative and high-quality, they come Michelin-recommended.

For event planners seeking options for an elevated offsite dinner, this is your guide to the best restaurants just a short walk away from the exhibit floor, whether you’re visiting the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center (Hynes) in the Back Bay or the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) in the Seaport District. 

Restaurants near the Hynes

Select Oyster Bar

210 feet (1-minute walk)

Just steps from the Boylston Street entrance to the Hynes and nestled in a historic Back Bay brownstone sits Select Oyster Bar. Serving high-end seafood against a casual bistro backdrop, guests can enjoy a Michelin-recommended meal while dining like a local. The staff is widely recognized for their friendliness, curating a local, laid-back vibe. 

Select Oyster Bar prioritizes fresh seafood, which means that their local catch list changes daily, and dishes are delivered to the table as they are ready. Choose from main course options like Whole Sea Bream or local Casco Bay Halibut for a formal dinner or stick to shareable plates and seafood towers for a more casual, grazing ambiance.  

The raw bar showcases select local oysters and other special plate offerings include crudo, ceviche, local shellfish, and Spanish octopus. The wine list is crafted to match the seafood menu with an array of crisp whites and dry reds.  

Private Events

For planners seeking an impressive, yet intimate event right outside the Hynes Convention Center, Select Oyster Bar hosts private gatherings for 15-75 guests. Treat your guests to fresh, local catches in a casual setting - the closest Michelin-recommended restaurant to the convention center. 

Asta

0.4 miles

Asta brings a Michelin-recommended dining experience to the table with its own creative twist. Asta chefs serve a tasting menu with an array of options for one set price. Head Chef Alex Crabb is known for keeping things experimental, constantly tweaking the tasting menu to feature the absolute freshest local ingredients.   

Anything but ordinary, this restaurant space is an intimate room with relaxed features: a window looking into the kitchen, built-in drawers at the tables that hold silverware, and chef-explained courses throughout the meal. 

Private Events

For private gatherings, Asta can accommodate groups of 14 to 40 with a full restaurant buyout of their main dining room.  

For something that feels more unique and casual, Asta hosts a special fried chicken and biscuit lunch on the first Saturday of every month from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.   

La Padrona

0.5 miles

Step inside the luxurious Raffles Hotel and find this two-story Michelin-recommended spot. La Padrona takes decadent Italian cuisine and creates something new with premium New England ingredients. It is upscale in nature, but grounded in warmth, encouraging gathering and reflecting the utmost quality and care.  

The first floor welcomes guests to a moody lounge and bar, perfect for a small cocktail hour. Then, head up the dramatic staircase to the main dining room featuring the statement piece: a U-shaped bar wrapped in chandelier crystals. On the menu, find high-end meat dishes with shareable sides and fresh pasta made in-house. The best way to end the night here is with their famous tiramisu.  

Private Events

Both floors of La Padrona are available to planners for private events. The entire space can host 200 guests when seated or a 250-person reception. If planning for a smaller group between 10 to 55 people, there are multiple private dining room options available as well. 

Mooncusser

0.5 miles

A block away from the buzz of Newbury and Boylston Street, Mooncusser offers a welcome change of pace in the Back Bay. On the ground floor, Moon Bar keeps things casual with a colorful spot for a quick drink and a bite. While upstairs, the second-story Michelin-recommended dining room takes a more elevated perspective with cityscape views and a seasonal tasting menu that rotates every 4-6 weeks.  

Here, dramatic arched windows look out onto Columbus Avenue, framing a warm, yet sophisticated white-tablecloth meal. No matter when you visit, come ready for five courses of bold, aromatic flavors and inspired combinations. While their seafood dishes are the star, Mooncusser balances the menu with meat and pasta dishes that will also impress. 

Private Events

Mooncusser is conveniently positioned between Hynes Convention Center and the Boston Common, located near hotel partners like the Hilton Boston Park Plaza and the Hotel AKA Back Bay Boston. This space is ideal for planners hosting up to 50 guests. 

Three 1 One Omakase

0.5 miles

When Boston secured its historic first Michelin star, all eyes turned to the South End's Three 1 One (311). This omakase restaurant unites the history and diversity of its Boston neighborhood with the beauty and complexity of Japanese cuisine; a duality reflected directly in its name.  

The "3" represents the trinity of the chef, ingredients, and customers, while the "11" represents intuition and enlightenment. Together, 311 establishes the foundation for the structured, yet dynamic 18-course dining experience that awaits its guests.  

The experience moves from creative seasonal appetizers and hot dishes that highlight precise preparation methods to an impressive finale of masterfully crafted nigiri. Guests rave over the Hokkaido Hairy Crab and the talent and warmth of the chefs. 

Private Events

For planners looking to impress with an interactive evening, Three 1 One seats just 10 at the chef's counter or can host a 35-person reception.  

Restaurants near the MCEC

Wood's Hill Pier 4

0.5 miles

Woods Hill Pier 4 is flavorful, sustainable, and overlooks Boston Harbor, giving its guests 180-degree views from the patio or through the floor to ceiling windows. This Michelin-recommended destination is woman-owned and directly connected to The Farm at Woods Hill in Bath, NH. Every ingredient is grown with care and sourced with precision. The menu spotlights grass-fed proteins, raw milk cheeses, and organic produce, reflecting the team's belief that mindful food choices positively impact their guests, and extends to the community and the planet.

Private Events

For event planners looking to wow guests with Seaport's signature stunning harbor views, Woods Hill has several private dining rooms suitable for intimate board dinners or mid-sized gatherings of 20 to 50 guests, which can be combined to accommodate larger parties.  

For larger events, the main dining room is available for private booking, and full restaurant buyouts are an option for those hosting substantial receptions for up to 200 people or a seated dinner of up to 125 guests. 

Fox & The Knife

0.9 miles

After a long day of networking and walking the convention floor, take your group on an effortless trip to Northern Italy right in South Boston. Fox & the Knife, a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick where Chef Karen Akunowicz channels flavor she mastered during her year in Modena, is a casual and contemporary enoteca and restaurant.

The space glows with candlelight and hums with lively, unhurried energy, channeling the concept of aperitivo – a communal gathering place where guests celebrate good company and great food.  Fox & the Knife has one of the most welcoming feels of any restaurant on our list. Connecting with guests is the core purpose of the restaurant, seen not only through delicious food but also with ambiance. Fox & the Knife is a cozy spot with a goal of connecting with guests, seen not only through food, but in comfortable ambiance.

Food is ordered in shared waves starting with warm, cheese-stuffed breads and moves through vibrant appetizers, incredible handmade pastas, and hearty plates that will get everyone talking. Fox & the Knife also boasts an extensive collection of aperitifs at their Amaro Bar, for a location-specific twist on an exceptional evening. 

Private Events

Fox & the Knife is available for partial and full buyouts, seating up to 75 guests, offering a turnkey set-up for planners who want a standout culinary experience. 

Bar Volpe

0.7 miles

Chef Karen Akunowicz found such great success with Fox & The Knife that Boston was lucky enough to get a second Bib-Gourmand-worthy restaurant from her. Bar Volpe is Fox & The Knife's high-energy sister.  

While Fox & the Knife spotlights Northen Italy, Bar Volpe leans into the cuisine and customs of Southern Italy and the island of Sardinia. Pasta is the heart of the restaurant, but the wood-fire cooking technique adds an elevated meal experience and a rustic atmosphere. Bar Volpe has its very own Pastificio (pasta shop) where guests can purchase fresh-made pastas and sauces to make at home.  

If you're stopping in, be sure to try their Negroni flight.  

Private Events

Bar Volpe offers flexible options for both private and semi-private events. A full restaurant buyout accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner or 200 guests for a reception. For more intimate gatherings, a dedicated private dining room is available for up to 60 seated guests or 85 guests for a reception. 

Lenox Sophia

0.8 miles

Lenox Sophia redefines quiet luxury in an intimate South Boston space that feels like a hidden gem. The Michelin-recommended experience anchors itself around Chef-Owner Shi Mei and his tiny team who run the dining room with a refined-casualness, even welcoming guests to bring their own drinks. The kitchen focuses on a contemporary New American menu that shifts fluidly alongside local farm harvests for a uniquely tailored, interactive 5-course prix fixe dinner. 

Private Events

This exceptionally cozy space can be bought out to accommodate 16 to 20 guests for an unforgettable evening. 

Elevating Your Off-site Experience

With Boston's food scene growing, use this as your guide for the hottest restaurant options in the city. With various Michelin recommended and rated restaurants near the MCEC and the Hynes, it's easier than ever to elevate your off-site experience.  

Discover the diverse selection of bars and restaurants available near the MCEC and the Hynes by viewing our neighborhood Dining Guides for local favorites and by checking out the ‘Restaurant’ section of our Interactive Map.   

This blog post was written by our intern Marlena Bartlett, who is earning her bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration from Boston University.